10 witnesses lined up to pin ISO boss' son in murder trial

The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has lined up 10 witnesses to pin city pharmacist over the murder of his girlfriend.

On Monday, Senior State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo told High Court judge Moses Kawumi Kazibwe that they have 10 witnesses to pin city pharmacist Brian Bagyenda over the murder of 22-year-old Enid Twijukye. Kyomuhendo appeared together with Joan Keko.

"We have 10 witnesses to testify in this matter. Today we have eight witnesses in court and we are ready to proceed," Kyomuhendo submitted.

Brian also a son of Internal Security Organisation (ISO) boss Col Frank Kaka Bagyenda is accused of killing Enid Twijukye on January 13, 2017, and later dumping her body at Namanve Forest Reserve in Wakiso district. 

He is battling the charge together with Innocent Bainomugisha, 24, a cleaner and Vincent Rwahwire, 28, a casual labourer.

Brian was arrested on January 18, 2017, after telephone print outs from the deceased's mobile phone showed that he was the last person she frequently called before her mysterious disappearance.

Enid Twijukye was murdered in January 2017. Courtesy Photo

The prosecution alleges that on January 4, 2016, at Njobe Road in Nakawa Division, Kampala district, the accused and others still at large with malice aforethought killed Twijukye in cold blood. 

Early this year, the DPP rejected plea bargaining in the matter after the defence lawyers led by Nsubuga Mubiru argued that he was a patient at Butabika at the time of the commission of the offence.

Hearing of the case kicked off on Monday with two witnesses giving their testimony including the deceased's mother.

Background

Court documents indicate that Twijukye a daughter of Wilson Tibegaya, a headteacher at Karobwa Education Centre died after being raped.

Twijukye lived with her sister in Namugongo, Wakiso district but she is said to have left home on the fateful day to visit her unidentified friend in Bweyogerere.

The following day the deceased's phones went off, prompting her mother Esther Mirembe to contact family members about her whereabouts.

Police recovered Twijukye's decomposing body in Namanve Forest, 11km away from the murder scene after the family had reported her missing.

At the time of death, Twijukye was working at Capital Shoppers in Ntinda and was due for graduation at Ndejje University.